US-Bangla to launch flights to Chennai

US-Bangla Airlines, a private airline based in Bangladesh, is to wing its way into Chennai from 31 March. It will be the airline’s first flight to South India, reports The Hindu.

An airline official visiting Chennai to complete the formalities, told The Hindu that it has been planned as a Dhaka-Chattogram-Chennai service. The Boeing 737-800 operation, which is to be thrice a week initially (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday), will offer 164 seats — eight in business class and 156 in economy.

According to the Indian daily newspaper, flight BS 205 will leave Dhaka at 9:10am and reach Chennai at 12:45pm. The departure from Chattogram will be at 10:45am. On the return sector, flight BS 206 will leave Chennai at 1:30pm and reach Dhaka at 6:00pm. The arrival in Chattogram will be at 4:30pm.

The official said the airline hopes to tap the lucrative medical tourism market in Tamil Nadu and is offering competitive one way and return fares on each sector.

A senior Chennai airport official said the airline’s slots have been approved under the summer schedule, the Hindu report says.

This flight will also be the city’s second connection to Bangladesh. Maldivian operates on the Male-Dhaka sector via Chennai with an Airbus A320.